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It has been a stressful few months for everyone living with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Which is everyone. From worrying about job security, school for the kids, finances, personal health, health of older/younger family members, isolation, and more, mental health is taking a pretty serious hit in many of us. The good news is there are steps we can take, within our control, to better our mental health during this difficult time. Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic and other sources: Get enough sleep. And stick to your sleeping routine. It might not seem like a big deal to binge watch Netflix until 2am because you don’t have to get up early in the morning, but this can be very detrimental to your mental health. Participate in regular physical activity. Even if it’s something as a simple as a walk or lifting weights in your apartment! Being outside also helps with mental health, so anything you can while social distancing is a great option. Eat healthy. Maybe your summer bod is taking this year off, but it’s still important to put good foods into your body. Limit sugar/junk food and caffeine, especially if you struggle with anxiety. Limit screen time. Turn off all your electronics each day for an established amount of time, as little as 30 minutes. Screen time has been linked to increased rates in stress and anxiety, something none of us need at this time. Relax and Recharge. Do something that works for you to help you recharge. Meditate, read a book, work on a project that has nothing to do with work, lay in your back yard. Do something for others. The best way to get out of your own head is to focus on helping someone else!

As many counties in Washington State enter phase 2 of reopening during the Covid-19 (some hoping for phase 3, even), we are excited by the idea of life returning to normal by frequenting our favorite restaurants, parks, and beaches mostly the way we used to. We recognize that some things will be different and it is important to take precautionary measures. We also recognize that local businesses have been through a historic hit, so here are some ideas to help us all recover from the Covid-19 lockdown. Buy gift cards from local stores and restaurants as birthday gifts, to give to first responders, etc. This helps get cash flowing to these businesses more than you can visit each one. If you need to get out of the house, try a staycation! Airbnbs will soon be open as will most local attractions, events and activities. This will get you out and put money back into the community. Shop local. We understand this isn’t always possible, but instead of the convenience of making that purchase through Amazon or a big box store, your purchases will make a huge impact on smaller, locally-owned businesses.

Many people all over the world are using mandatory or voluntary quarantine for Covid-19 to pick up some new skills or try new hobbies. Seeing as all this happened at the beginning of spring, many people focused in on their gardens…or started gardening for the first time. During these tight financial times, many first-time gardeners are trying their green thumb at growing their own fruits and vegetables. "We have been so busy the last couple months," said Tammi Wells of Skagit Valley Gardens in Mount Vernon. "Financially, these have been record-breaking months for us. But, really, the biggest difference is how happy people are to be here. How happy they are to have some kind of outlet, bring some color and hope into their lives by working on their old gardens or starting new ones. More than ever, people want something to focus on, some kind of beauty and escape." There are many resources available to help you on your garden-to-kitchen venture, but here are some quick and easy tips to help you get started: Plant what you and your family will actually eat. It’s a thrill to see an eggplant grow from a little start, but it’s less thrilling to see it rot on the soil because no one in your home likes them. Start small. We all start with big dreams, but start with a few basic things to get the hang of it first. Companion planting is a great way to get the best from your food, but it can be a bit overwhelming. In general, lettuce and spinach grow great next to most other foods, so try planting those greens in between your other plants. Make sure you get some joy out of your garden. Feel free to throw some flower seeds of your favorite flower in with your veggies! Get creative with the foods you eat. Did you know you can eat pansies and nasturtiums? In fact, nasturtiums (an annual flowering vine) adds a great peppery flavor and color to salads! "Not everyone has access to a plot for a garden, so many people are building raised beds, container gardening, or even just splurging on indoor plants to bring some outside to their inside," said Wells. "We have sold more indoor plants this year than ever before because people know that nature inside the walls of your home can help with relaxation and just feeling better about stuff." Many local gardening centers and nurseries are open in the Puget Sound area, so you can ask your local expert for more tips or do some online research.

Since the Stay at Home order given a few weeks ago, many of us are having to find ways to spend our time. Some of us, are using that time to make a positive difference in our communities. Many people are making homemade masks for their friends and family; some are selling masks and donating the proceeds to various causes. Gail has taken a different approach. Usually a busy realtor, she dusted off her sewing machine for her Sew Something Good venture. She has been making and selling aprons, all proceeds going to charities helping those affected by Covid-19. To date, she has donated more than $2000 with just the support of friends and family. While there are many celebrities using their fame for good causes, one of our favorites is John Krazinki’s new online “show” called Some Good News where he shares GOOD news from around the globe and his fans. With all the negative and depressing news, we love his optimism and a window to see some of the good happening all around us. https://www.facebook.com/JohnKrasinski/ Another fruit that has blossomed from the bitter quarantine tree is Rachel Bell’s Cooking in Quarantine campaign on Instagram. We are all doing a lot more cooking at home…and needing to do a lot more cooking at home…so it’s great to see what people are creating in their kitchens. Who doesn’t need more meal ideas during this time? Local radio stations are also trying to make a difference with campaigns like Letters For Hope where the public can write letters to elderly neighbors in lock down in retirement homes, most unable to even leave their rooms. These letters can be addressed (or emailed) to radio stations and the station will make sure they get where they are needed. These are just a few of the ways individuals and communities are showing we are all in this together! What are some of the ways you’ve seen your friends and neighbors show up?

What We’re Doing Right Now… Service & Parts Departments are OPEN 8am - 5pm Monday – Friday and Saturday 9am – 2pm (closed Sunday). As a Chevrolet dealer in the Seattle area, we are maintaining a heightened awareness of  Covid-19 mitigation response. Make your appointment as usual by calling us at 206.243.5800 or online, the easy way - click here!  We offer low contact service! Our Service Technicians are here for you to wipe, swipe and sanitize your vehicle before and after service. Concierge Service: we'll pick up your vehicle, service it and return it to your home or office. Please arrange for our Concierge by phoning 206.243.5800. Geographic restrictions apply (complimentary within 10-miles). Sales... Virtual Vehicle Appointments - Schedule a virtual meeting and get a video tour of the vehicle you're looking at on our Website. And then, visit our Shop Click Drive Store, where you can get excellent pricing, calculate payments & downpayments, get a value on your trade in and more! Complimentary test drive at home - Try a no-commitment, no-strings test drive at home. Car will be dropped off (within 10 miles of the dealership) so you can safely test drive on your own. Dealership Appointments - If you fall into a specific consumer category, per the Governor's Order, we are practicing social distancing and setting a specific time for you to visit Burien Chevrolet to enjoy a solo test drive and personal buying experience. Contact us for a list of the Governor's Consumer Categories. No Contact Purchase - Pay or finance a vehicle remotely—either by phone or email. You'll just have to sign a few quick docs in a private room at the dealership. Done in a jiffy, lickety-split! (Governor's Order applies) No-Charge Home Drop-off - Ready to buy? We'll drop your new car off at your home, no charge! (Geographic 10-mile limits & Governor's Order apply) General 10-mile complimentary pickup and delivery area for auto service. Please ask your advisor for details. 206.243.5800

Usually Easter is a time for family and friends to gather for religious celebrations and/or Easter egg hunts. But, as with everything else this Spring, Easter is being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with millions of people, including everyone in Washington State, under Shelter in Place orders. But there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Easter this year; here are three ideas how to make Easter special during quarantine. 1. Tune into religious services virtually. No matter your faith, there are lots of options to listen to sermons and music via the internet. While you can't go out to services, there's no reason you can't hear the good word. 2. Skip the Easter Egg Hunt. All of us in Western Washington are used to being creative with indoor Easter Egg Hunts (because it's usually raining), but that might be particularly difficult during a quarantine. How about skipping the Easter Bunny and inviting the Spring Fairy! The Spring Fairy comes AFTER Easter (and probably takes advantage of the post-Easter sales) and brings a basket of goodies/gifts. Kids never know when the Spring Fairy is going to come and often leaves glitter as evidence of her appearance. Here's a link to some fun ideas! 3. This year seems like the perfect year to try something new. Have you ever colored your Easter eggs with shaving cream? It works and can turn out really cool. Check it out! What are some ways you are celebrating Easter in quarantine?

At Burien Chevrolet, the health and well-being of our customers, employees and associates is our top priority. You can be assured as standard operating procedure, we clean and sanitize both public and private areas of the dealership - Service waiting areas, Showroom and Parts and Accessories Department - to our utmost ability. We are taking extra precautions to limit the spread of germs by disinfecting surfaces and providing hand sanitizer in our common areas. Burien Chevrolet is disinfected every evening, and all Customer and Employee Areas continue to be disinfected regularly throughout the day. Of course, if you'd prefer not to venture into public spaces at this time, we certainly understand. That's why WE DELIVER! You can even buy entirely online with the " Shop Click Drive " program. SHOP ONLINE. TAKE DELIVERY AT HOME. Buy from the comfort of your own home! Or anyplace, anytime - the choice is yours. With Shop Click Drive, you can go start to finish with a simple digital retailing solution: Schedule a Test Drive Review Current Offers Review Purchase Programs Review Finance/Lease Options Value your Trade-In Calculate your Monthly Payment Apply for Credit Add Accessories & Protection Sign Paperwork Schedule Delivery Simply click the "Shop Click Drive" button on any vehicle in inventory. And still, as part of good Hygiene Practices, we are reminding our employees, staff, guests and valued customers to please remember to: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or a tissue. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Burien Chevrolet has been here through thick and thin. We will continue to serve our community as we have for over half a century. Working together, we'll get through this Coronavirus scare. Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns: 206.243.5800

Soup is a very versatile food. It can come in the form of a hearty chowder or vegetables cooked in a delicious broth. Any way you like to enjoy it, you'll find some great options in Burien. Check out some of our favorite locations to get a good bowl of soup in the area. King Wha Restaurant You'll enjoy a delicious meal in a warm and welcoming environment at King Wha Restaurant. It specializes in preparing Szechwan, Mandarin, and Korean cuisine, served by the friendly, courteous waitstaff. A variety of delicious soups are on the menu, such as the egg flower soup and the hot and sour soup. If you'd like to try something with seafood, order the sizzling fried rice soup, which comes with assorted vegetables, chicken, and shrimp. Other soup options include wonton soup and chicken with black mushroom soup. For those who want more than soup, the menu also includes appetizers, entrees, and family-style dinners. A lunch menu is available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It includes a main course, hot and sour soup, and steamed rice. more Classic Eats Classic Eats is an American cafe serving comfort foods in a laid-back atmosphere. It has a great outdoor patio area for dining when the weather is nice and plenty of tables inside that can fit groups of any size. If you come here for the soup, you'll be delighted at the selection of chowders. The clam chowder is creamy, delicious, and made with bacon bits. The classic seafood chowder is made to order, so you know it will be fresh and tasty. It has prawns, scallops, salmon, and potatoes. No matter what soup you order, it will be served with garlic bread. Other menu options that pair well with the soup include the turkey cranberry wrap, grilled lemon salmon, and the parmesan chicken sandwich. A lunch special is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes half a sandwich, soup, and a salad, or you can opt for just the soup and salad. Krungthep Thai Cuisine With quick, friendly service and always fresh and delicious food, you can't go wrong with Krungthep Thai Cuisine. It has an extensive menu that includes all your favorite Thai foods as well as some new ones you're definitely going to want to try. There are only two soups on the menu, but both are tasty and traditional. Try the tom kha soup, which is made with coconut milk, galanga root, kaffir lime, lemongrass, mushrooms, green onions, and cilantro. The other option is the tom yum soup. It has lemongrass, kaffir lime, green onions, and cilantro and is served in a spicy chili broth. Some of the top choices from the menu are spring rolls, pad Thai noodles, and the crab wonton. Pair a delicious Thai iced tea or Thai iced coffee with your soup or meal to really treat yourself. Regardless of where you go for your bowl of soup, you're going to enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Stop at each restaurant on this list, and let us know what you think. Image via pexels.com

All of Washington State residents are living through a historic...and uncertain... time. With the Covid-19 pandemic hitting the Burien area hard, most of us are under voluntary quarantine. While it is a challenging time, it can also be a time for opportunity. There are many lists and ideas for parents trying to keep kids busy who are home from school, so how about some other ideas to keep you from going stir crazy. Seahurst Ed Munro Park. Being outside in the fresh air and walking the trails (with plenty of social distancing between other park goers) is a good way to prevent cabin fever. Read classic book! We suggest making a goal of at least 1 book per every 2 weeks of quarantine. Here's one list of the 100 Classic Books (although there are others); one of our favorites is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and The Art of War by Sun-Tzu. Sign up for free Ivy League college courses! Have you always wanted to learn more about history, literature, computer science, art, or business? You can sign up for free courses from Harvard, Yale, Princeton and more. Get a list of courses here. Learn a new skill. Have you always wanted to learn to crochet, do origami, or make furniture? Quarantine is a great time to devote some time to learning. YouTube is full of great tutorials for pretty much anything! Donate blood! While you can't technically do this in your home, it could save lives. As long as you exhibit no symptoms, call your local blood bank and find out how you can donate because there is a shortage right now. What are your ideas if you are staying home for the next couple weeks?

Whether you've got antsy kids with cabin fever or you need a bit of sunshine, a local park is an ideal destination to cure what ails you. The city of Burien in Washington state touts more than 365 acres of open space to play and take it easy. While away a relaxing afternoon at one of these popular area parks. Burien Community Center Located in central Burien at 14700 6th Avenue SW, the city's community center offers residents all the amenities of the adjacent Dottie Harper Park, and so much more. Explore 3.5 wooded acres, frolic on the remodeled playground, or have a picnic. The community center provides programs to all ages, including youth day camps, after school programs, a community garden, and services for adults over 50. more Puget Sound Park Puget Sound Park sits along First Avenue South at 135 SW 126th St. It boasts five acres for play and relaxing, plus a quarter-mile walking trail, playground for the kids, a basketball court, and picnic tables. There is plenty of free on-site parking and the occasional carnival rides that come to town. Miller Creek Trail Why not spend a relaxing afternoon with a stroll along Miller Creek Trail? This path runs from Des Moines Memorial Drive north to South 140th Street. Leave your car at 14455 Des Moines Memorial Dr. and pick up the trailhead right from this small lot. Follow along the path and boardwalks, read the interpretive signs, and take a rest on one of the benches to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Part of the NERA stormwater improvement project, this area provides residents with the opportunity to take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the creek with the whole family. Grandview Park Dog lovers are invited to Grandview Park at 600 S. 228th St. in Seatac. Access to this regional off-leash dog park is available to Burien residents through a partnership between several cities. Even our four-legged friends enjoy a chance to unwind at the park. Grandview Park is well-maintained, attractive, and offers a safe and fun environment where dogs and their handlers can play, socialize, and get in some exercise. Practice responsible pet ownership and clean up after Fido and never leave them unattended. Seahurst Ed Munro Park The jewel of Burien's parks and recreation system, Seahurst Park is located at 1600 SW Seahurst Park Rd. This gem offers visitors access to the saltwater beach on Puget Sound and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountain range. Reserve a picnic shelter for your next birthday party or other celebration, enjoy the playground area, or take a walk on one of several trails leading out of the grounds. This retreat includes many inviting natural areas, including forests, streams, and wetlands teeming with wildlife. It's a favorite spot for photographers and families to unwind on a sunny afternoon, and there is a large parking lot to accommodate guests. Why not slow down and kick back at the park today? With so many options available to Burien residents, the hardest part is which location to visit first. Image via pexels.com

Pamper yourself with a luxurious facial, marvelous hair treatment, or a relaxing massage. Studies show that a day at the spa is good for your health and is the perfect way to detox after a busy week at the office or chasing the kids. Make it a spa day today, right here in Burien, Washington. Here are a few top picks where you can unwind. Serenza Salon and Spa Serenza Salon and Spa at 120 SW 160th St., just south of Seattle, is the place to go when you want only the best. From massage and skin treatments to hair and nail services, you're going to look great and feel better when you leave the salon. Book a therapeutic aroma massage that's designed to meet your specific needs with a variety of relaxing techniques to help relieve tight muscles, improve circulation, and bring your body into a blissful state. Do you have a special occasion coming up? Sign up for Serenza's Signature Eminence Organic Facial. The ideal solution for all skin types, this luxurious treatment uses organic ingredients to deep clean and exfoliate your face. The expert staff is pleased to customize whatever corrective procedure your skin needs to target your individual concerns. more Blissful Knead Let the therapists at Blissful Knead brighten your day with a premium massage. Located at 140 SW 153rd St., this spa uses only the highest quality products to deliver an unparalleled experience. Led by owner Monty Penney, take advantage of his 25 years of experience and make an appointment to rejuvenate with his highly skilled practitioners. Each inviting room is large and comforting, modern, and clean. See if your skin will benefit from an anti-aging facial treatment, such as the Myoxy-Caviar mask. This opulent experience treats your skin to a lavish blend of pure caviar and Phyto extracts. If you want to improve wrinkles, and the elasticity and texture of your face, this mask does the trick by increasing oxygenation and suppleness. If you want a scent-indulgent experience, try the aromatherapy facial. It's an unforgettable blend of pure essential oils. Ola Salon Located at 1835 SW 152nd St., Ola Salon is dedicated to making the Burien area beautiful. Its family of employees is passionate about the services they offer, whether its a nourishing hair treatment or a refreshing peel. They offer derma-planing, micro-needling, and micro-blading, plus so much more like makeup application and bridal packages to ensure you look your best on that special day. After an appointment for hair gloss, extensions, or corrective color treatment,  why not get an add-on acne, hand, or eye treatment or a decadent scalp massage? Their expert technicians offer lash extensions, full-body waxing, and spray-on tans. Are you suffering from back acne? Get a cleansing peel and see and feel the difference right away. What is holding you back from spending a day at the spa? Use this handy guide to jump start your health and wellness with a personal service in Burien, Washington, right now. Why not set up an appointment? You won't be disappointed. Image via P ixabay.com

How often do we wish we had more time? Well, this year we all get a whole extra day! So we think it’d be a great idea to spend your extra day doing the things people often wish they had more time to do…because this year the solar system has given us a whole extra 24 hours on February 29. That’s right, the solar system has given us more time. No, this isn’t some confusing Marvel time travel schtick. According to TimeAndDate.com we need an extra day every four years, we would lose 6 hours every year and after 100 years, we would have lost an entire 24 days. Almost a whole month! Here are some ideas of what to spend with your extra day based on our experience and a couple surveys: • Spend time with family! Do what you enjoy doing with your family: game day, movie day, theme park, paint ball…whatever it is, you have time to do it! • Exercise! People always say they don’t have time to exercise. Well, this year you have an extra 24 hours to squeeze a work out in. It could be an extra trip to the gym, an extra long walk with your 4-legged pal, or something you’ve always wanted to try! • Spend time with friends! We know how hard it can be to schedule time with friends. But this year you have an extra day to make it happen. Use this Leap Year to schedule that dinner with friends that you’ve been saying (for years, probably) needs to happen. • Pursue Your Hobbies! It’s important to have something that you enjoy doing simply for fun. Do you have a hobby that’s been left in the dust? A project that has stalled out…for months? Or maybe something you think you’d enjoy but haven’t had time to even try yet. The 2020 Leap Year is the year to do it because you will have the time! What would you do if you had extra time? Because this year, you do. Happy Leap Year!